Aggregate
Information on access to and use of aggregate resources and the requirements under legislation administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) are outlined below. Click here for a link to MNR’s website or dial toll free 1-800-667-1940 to be directed to the district office you need to speak to. Link to the MNR Aggregate Resources web page.
Aggregate Definition
The term “aggregate” as defined in the Ontario Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) and Regulation 244/97 (amended to 209/04) (See myLaws – Aggregate Permits / Licences), means gravel, sand, clay, earth, shale, stone, limestone, dolostone, sandstone, marble, granite, “rock” or other prescribed material. Note, the term “Earth” does not include topsoil and peat
In the definition of aggregate the term “rock” excludes metallic ores and the non-metallic ores: andalusite, asbestos, barite, coal, diamond, graphite, gypsum, kaolin, kyanite, lepidolite, magnesite, mica, petalite, phosphate-rock, nepheline-syenite, salt, sillimanite, spodumene, talc, and wollastonite.
Development of Aggregate under the Mining Act
Aggregate Exploration and Advanced Exploration
Exploration of all minerals, including all non-metallic minerals other than sand and gravel and peat, is covered under the Mining Act. The normal processes of the Mining Act apply until production.
Production of Non-metallic Minerals Under the Mining Act
Underground production of all minerals, including all non-metallic minerals, is covered under the Mining Act. Production of non-metallic minerals excluded under the Aggregate Resources Act is also governed by the Mining Act.
Placer Mining
Placer mining is the extraction of non-aggregate minerals from sand and gravel, soil or other loose, unconsolidated surface materials. Placer minerals are typically gold, silver, platinum or precious stones.
Placer mining is regulated under the Mining Act administered by the MNDM. However, the excavation of aggregate or topsoil resulting from non-aggregate mineral extraction from a placer deposit is considered to be the operation of a pit for the purpose of the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA), and an aggregate permit is required (see ARA Section 34.(1)). The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines should be contacted for an interpretation of the regulatory requirements for any potential placer mining development.
Aggregate Permitting and Licensing
Aggregate resources of Ontario are administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Production of aggregate requires either a permit or licence unless the aggregate is being produced from a property where the surface and mining rights are patented and the property is located an area that is not designated under the Aggregate Resources Act. Areas are designated under Regulation 244/97 (as amended to 209/04). See myLaws – Aggregate Licences.
Licence (in designated areas)
An aggregate licence is required to operate a pit or quarry on private land in in areas designated under the Aggregate Resources Act. The licence applies to all land that is not land under water, and where the surface rights are not the property of the Crown. A Class A licence is required to remove more than 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or quarry. A Class B licence is required to remove 20,000 tonnes or less of aggregate annually from a pit or quarry. See myLaws - Aggregate Licence.
Permit
An aggregate permit is required to operate a pit or quarry
- to excavate aggregate or topsoil that is on land, the surface rights of which are the property of the Crown, even if the surface rights are leased to another person;
- to excavate aggregate or topsoil that is the property of the Crown from land under water;
- to excavate aggregate or topsoil that is the property of the Crown in a part of Ontario that is not designated; or
- to excavate aggregate that is not the property of the Crown from land under water.
See myLaws - Aggregate Permit.
The application process can be found in the Aggregate Resources of Ontario, Provincial Standards Version 1.0. The document covers the 15 different application categories for pits and quarries. To order, contact Publications Ontario.
Aggregate Resources Inventory Papers ARIPs and Aggregate Resource Inventory Maps ARIMs provide information on aggregate resources in Ontario. To order these publications, please contact: Ontario Geological Survey, Publication Services. or Publications Ontario.
The Mining Sequence
